NRA and national development
Irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs at the National Revenue Authority, it is a reality that efforts have been continuously made to meet the challenges of modern day revenue collection. Not least the fact that with the current Management of the institution, a lot of developments have occurred; GST in the pipeline, ASYCUDA to soon come into effect, The Non-Tax Revenue department of the NRA now given more powers by the Finance Act 2009, the launching of the Income Tax Consolidated Act, NRA collecting revenue with current excess of about 5 billion Leones, et al developments.
These are all efforts embarked upon to ensure the revenue target is met , international best practice brought home, trade facilitated by Customs, and in summary, thus contributing to the development agenda of President Koroma. No wonder, President Koroma has always spoken well of the NRA. You only needed to have attended the State Opening of Parliament to have listen to HE’s speech.
I believe, some of us are not being fair with the National Revenue Authority for some simple reasons which I may attempt to highlight. Leadership is all about meeting the expectations of those who either elect you into office, or the one who appoints you into a given position. The NRA is accountable to the people of this country, and but most importantly to President Koroma, who was elected by the people, and who in turn, called on others to help him administer the state, an in this case, he appointed some people to mann NRA so as to help him administer the state.
Therefore, when the President speaks well of not only the NRA but other institutions, it indicates that he is impressed. Even the donor community, I want to believe is impressed with the developments taking place with NRA, although there are challenges, as is the case with any given institution.
President Koroma has always being fair with the NRA, especially when viewed from the perspective of revenue collection, taking into account the global trends in the world economy, and despite this trend at the global level, the NRA has continued to perform its functions diligently to the pleasure of the President, the people of this country and donor partners.
First, I shall implore on us to properly look at the statement of President Koroma on the occasion of the State Opening of the Third Session of the Third Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone in the Chamber of Parliament Building.  President Koroma position’s on the performance of the National Revenue Authority was very clear;
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament, let me now turn to our efforts to secure the resources to finance the Agenda for Change and manage them responsibly. My government is very committed to reducing our dependence on foreign aid by increasing internally generated revenue. The National Revenue Authority is vital to this mobilization effort. Total Revenue collected by the Authority in the first half of 2009 exceeded Le.300 billion an increase of over Le.27 billion compared to the same period last year…’Â From the above quotation it is apparent that the President was and still impressed with the performance of the National Revenue Authority.
A dedicated team runs NRA
The NRA is very vital indeed to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone and this is more the reason it should be commended for having succeeded in generating hundreds of billions of Leone. As you read this piece, there is an excess of about 5 billion Leones for the first three quarters of this year, in terms of revenue collection.
No, I definitely would beg to differ from views that the current Commissioner-General is a self style Commissioner-General. He is not. What should be noted is that leadership style varies, depending on the individual you talk to. .
Now on the issue of financial loss that is alleged to be occurring at the NRA, I only may want to enquire whether, in determining this aspect, issues surrounding the current global recession were taken into full perspective. Even the developed nations had some problems when the global recession started, so what could be of us as developing nation. The NRA knows there are challenges ahead but these are challenges that could be handled.
Revenue collection is not as easy as writing an article in the papers, bent on denting the credibility of an individual, or as going to Paddy’s to socialize. Revenue collection dictates that there should be the conducive environment. Before now, the Non-Tax Revenue department of the NRA was having problems in collecting not tax revenues from MDS, but with the passing of the Finance Act 2009, there is bound to be an improvement in that area. This should also be taken into perspective when debating  the issue of financial loss at the NRA. Besides what is meant by financial loss, when there is an excess of about 5 billion in revenue collection for the first three quarters?
Even when some people are being unfair with the NRA, it is also relevant to state that, the institution is moving miles to ensure, it meets international best practice. The Management of the institution is currently working on the introduction of ASYCUDA, of course with support from the donor community!!!
The Automated System for Customs DATA (ASYCUDA) is a computer software package that is used by Customs Administrations in processing documents which relate to export and import of goods. It ensures fast clearance of goods. The system generates data which a nation can use for arithmetical investigation, and also takes into account international trade best practice. It creates room for an open and transparent operation within a country’s Customs Department
Also there is the pending Goods and Services Tax; slated to start on 1st January 2010. President Koroma, during the state opening of parliament made mention of the fact that “…the Goods and Services Tax Unit has been strengthened, and the GST will be implemented in January 2010. The project to transform the Customs and Excise department in to a modern department is in its final stage. Once completed, it is expected to minimize human influence and discretion…” GST shall be replacing seven taxes that used to exist.
 We can make the President, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma succeed by providing the resources, and one way of ensuring that is by ensuring that state institutions like NRA, like others are not discouraged from meeting their duties. We should be fair to the NRA, as that can help take Sierra Leone to the apex of the human development.
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